Axolotl not eating-urgent help needed

[Sylerwin]

I'm away at school and my folks are caring for my axolotls while I'm away. My mother informed me that one of my three hasn't been eating. I've lost two axolotls in the past to having lack of appetite so I'm freaking out. I had my dad check the pH (it's always been something that goes high for me) and sure enough it was at 7.6. I had him add some pH down (less than the bottle called for to avoid a sudden change). Still no luck, and it's been almost a week and a half. I had them move him to a tupperware and leave him in there with a small piece of worm and some bloodworms. Hoping he eats, but if not, my dad spoke to my exotic vet and he recommended that if he refuses food to force feed him. He gave my dad non latex gloves and tongue depressors. I'm worried about this but we're running out of time and options. Again, I've lost two axolotls to high pH (despite putting a pH 7 neutralizer in the water for every water change) and having them starve to death. I'm worried, but I haven't tried this before and whatever I tried before obviously failed. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Boomsloth]

What do you consider high pH? It's better to have a stable pH than a constantly fluctuating pH. What's in your tank decoration wise? Any type of rocks? 7.6 is completely normal for axolotls.


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[Sylerwin]

Only aquarium safe decor in the tank. I've lost two axolotls in the past to similar symptoms of loss of appetite. The only constant factor being high pH. The second one I took to a vet who was good with axolotls and he said it was long term exposure to high pH. (7.6-7.8) so when I learned that I began adding a neutralizer to the water I add during water changes. I'll post a photo of my tank so you can see decor.

 

[Sylerwin]

I don't know which photo is more recent (I'm away from home so I can't take an updated shot obviously) but it's the same "stuff"

 

[Boomsloth]

If you check out axolotl.org and read the pH section you will see that axolotls can be kept in a pH of 6.0-8.0 with 7.6 being ideal. What is the temp, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate levels?


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[Bette]

What do you consider high pH? It's better to have a stable pH than a constantly fluctuating pH. What's in your tank decoration wise? Any type of rocks? 7.6 is completely normal for axolotls.


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Yes, my ph is just about there as well, and I've never had a problem. Consistency is key.

 

[HitmanSougo13]

Your ph is not that high actually, but if it worries you perhaps move some items out of the tank and see if the ph reduces. There is a tutorial on how to force feed.

It is likely something common that caused two of your axies to pass away. Do you remember how they looked like? Were they super skinny or kind of big and just passed away?